Archive for August, 2014

LOST GRAVITY have mixed their main influences into their own unique brand of heavy rock driven by memorable guitar riffs and catchy vocal melodies. Formed in London in summer 2007 by Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Breno Val, the band has recorded and released 3 EPs: Anywhere But Home (2008), Selfish (2009) and Lost Gravity III (2012). Everything up to this point has been self-financed and self-released by Breno’s own label, Priston Records.

Originally a four piece band, they went through many line-up changes in their first few years of existence. Breno is the only original member and continues to be the creative force within the group, writing all the music and the majority of the lyrics. His main influences are AC/DC, Metallica and Alice in Chains. In 2011 LOST GRAVITY became a power trio, and since drummer Giuliano Kolling joined the band in 2012 the sound became much stronger and groovier. Giuliano’s main influences are Dream Theater and Rush.

Breno and Giuliano met for the first time at a Dream Theater concert at the old Astoria in London back in 2002. In the next two years that followed that first meeting, they played together in two different bands and clicked straight away. LOST GRAVITY really come alive on stage and the chemistry between Breno and Giuliano is very evident. The band has played in and around London mainly, bringing their music to places like Guildford, Milton Keynes and Croydon. One of their main shows was at The Underworld, London, in April 2014. “The power and energy of Alice in Chains, Megadeth and “Give these guys a good listen because they’ve got quite a sensibility and feeling to their sound and they are a very very gutty balls to the wall rock band.” Mic Buvac – Evolution Guitar, Sydney, Australia”

Metal Empire: Would you care to introduce yourself for our audience? What is your name and what do you do?

Lost Gravity (Breno Val): Hi, I am Breno and I am the vocalist/guitarist of Lost Gravity, a heavy rock band based in Camden Town, London. Thanks for having me here on Metal Empire, Luke.

Metal Empire: What is the band up to at the moment? Is there something you’re working on currently?

Lost Gravity (BV): We recorded our first album self-titled Lost Gravity earlier this year which is coming out in October. We are currently sorting out all the details for the release. We have been very busy promoting the album, doing some interviews, planning the tour, booking gigs, editing our first music video and so on.

Metal Empire: Where are you from? Do you feel your location has any effect on the music you make?

Lost Gravity (BV): I am from Brazil originally, but I’ve been in London for a few years now. The music that we make is the music that we love so no, the location doesn’t have any influence at all in our music. We would be writing the same kind of music anywhere in the world really (laughs). In fact some of our songs were written a few years ago when I was in Hamburg, Germany.

Metal Empire: It can be a difficult task to describe one’s own artistic talents, but how would you describe your music?

Lost Gravity (BV): We play heavy rock music and we have grunge and metal influences, but I see Lost Gravity as a rock’n’roll band. Someone has described us as a modern rock’n’roll band and I agree with that. Someone else said we are a nu-grunge band and I think I agree with that too (laughs).

Metal Empire: How do you go about writing new material? Can you talk about your production process?

Lost Gravity (BV): I never plan on writing a new song, it just “happens”. It usually starts with a guitar riff or a vocal melody. From there I work around it until I have a full song. I record a home demo using a midi controller for the drums and then we bring the song to the studio and jam on it to see how it feels live.

If we think it’s necessary, we then make some fine adjustments on the arrangements or structure. For the album, we recorded 10 tracks and almost all of them were written before we entered the studio. Only 2 of them had the lyrics and vocal melodies finished in the studio.

Metal Empire: What and who are some of your major influences? Please give a few details about what you enjoy about creating music and what inspires you to make it.

Lost Gravity Album – Self Titled

Lost Gravity (BV): My favourite band is AC/DC but I also have influences from other bands like Metallica, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Chroma Key, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Ramones, etc.

In Lost Gravity we are first of all music lovers. That’s why we ended up playing a musical instrument and being in a band. We write songs just so we can be on stage rocking out! It’s all about the live show. Don’t get me wrong, we like going into the studio and recording the songs, but the real deal happens when we are on stage.

Metal Empire: What’s the best venue or show you’ve ever played? What made it so good?

Lost Gravity (BV): We have had so many great gigs that it’s hard to mention all of them. But the one that comes to my mind now is one show that we played a few weeks ago in Hoxton. It was awesome! The crowd really got into the music, they were singing along and even after we finished our set they carried on singing the chorus of the last song we played.

It felt good! As for the venues, one of our favourites to play is The Underworld in Camden. Those guys are so professional and the sound on stage is fantastic! By the way, we are having our album launch show there on Saturday 11th of October.

Metal Empire: Have you played any shows or toured alongside any major artists? Are there any shows that come to mind that you feel make a great story? If so, tell us about it.

Lost Gravity (BV): We haven’t played with anyone big yet but we’re looking into it and hopefully it will happen in 2015!

Metal Empire: Is there any band or artist you would give anything to play a show with? If so, who are they and why?

Lost Gravity (BV): I would love to play with AC/DC, Metallica or Alice in Chains. Those are my favourite bands and it would be great to share the stage with those guys!

Metal Empire: What are you hopes for the future? Where do you see yourself as an artist this time next year or the year after?

Lost Gravity (BV): That’s a good question but to be honest we just work in the present. Everyday we are doing something for the band and moving one step forward. How far will we go? Only God knows.

Metal Empire: If I was to turn up at a show, what should I expect from you in terms of music and showmanship? Is there any crazy stuff you do to pull the crowd?

Lost Gravity (BV): If you’re coming to see us you can expect to see a genuine rock’n’roll band. We get up on stage, plug our instruments and rock out the place. I wouldn’t say there is anything crazy about it, but everything is real for sure. Every note that we play we mean it! Sometimes we share the stage with some bands that you can feel that they are pretending to be something they are not. With Lost Gravity you don’t get that, what you see is what you get. We love playing live and you can feel that if you come to our show.

Metal Empire: How do feel about being DIY musicians in today’s music industry?

Lost Gravity (BV): A few years ago I set up my own label, Priston Records, to record and release all Lost Gravity music. It is great cos we can decide what we want to do with our music without any external pressure. And I think being a DIY is the best option these days. As everyone knows, the music industry has changed a lot in the last few years. The money is not the same as it used to be because the way people listen to music has changed. And this is exactly why things are better nowadays: anyone can record their music and make it available worldwide thanks to the internet. I believe that if the music is good enough, sooner or later it will stand out and people will take notice.

Metal Empire: Do you receive much fan mail, and if so what’s the craziest, creepiest or coolest thing you’ve ever gotten from a fan?

Lost Gravity (BV): Yeah we get messages from all over the world. One of the coolest thing was this guy from Indonesia who put on his facebook profile that he is the guitarist/vocalist of Lost Gravity and he tagged our facebook page (laughs). And a few years ago when we released our first EP, this guy from America made a rap version of one of our songs. That was funny too! (laughs)

Metal Empire: If you could have any super power what would it be?

Lost Gravity (BV): I would stretch the days to 30 hours and the weeks to 10 days (laughs).

Metal Empire: If you could only hear one more song for the rest of your life what would you choose?

Lost Gravity (BV): This is something that changes from time to time. At the moment that song would be “Alone”, the ballad on our debut album. It’s a special one for me. I’ve been listening to that track and playing it on my guitar every single day for months now. I can’t get enough of it! All the influences that I have from my top favourite bands are in that song and the lyrics are very personal, so I think that would be the song.

Metal Empire: Thank you for taking the time to speak to Metal Empire about what you do. Do you have any final words, or anything you would like to add?

Lost Gravity (BV): I just would like to remind everyone that our debut album comes out on the 13th of October. And on the 11th of October we are playing our album release show at The Underworld in Camden Town. If you’re reading this, come out and have a good time with us! And thank you again, Luke, for having us here on Metal Empire. Cheers. Rock’n’roll!!

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About Knife Sotelo

Excerpt from www.knifermusick.com“The name is Knife (aka Filerro) and I’m regarded as the first (LaVeyan) Satanic rapper and a pioneer of the New South rap genre. I’m a musician, author, producer and distributor among other things.”

Metal Empire: Would you care to introduce yourself and the band for our audience?

Knife Sotelo: I am “Knife” Sotelo, both the rapper and band *laughs* thank you for having me here.

Metal Empire: What is the band up to at the moment? Is there something you’re working on currently?

Knife Sotelo: We’re actually in the process of making another Nu-Metal album entitled “Proclamation Of The Beast”, it will be the follow up to my last Nu-Metal album “Morals & Dogma.”

Metal Empire: How did the band form? Can you tell us a little bit about your history in music?

Knife Sotelo: The band was formed in 2003 as a punk band called “uRbIN Chaos”, I left the band in 2005 to go on other ventures but I also made frequent appearances with the band going far as starting an eponymous band with the remaining members. The band’s lineup almost always changes between album releases, and most of the time, shows.

Metal Empire: Your music contains some interesting lyrics themes, can you tell us a little bit more about the ideas and concepts there?

Knife Sotelo: We have often been connected with Satanism, in part for the lyrical content frequent use of imagery often tied to left hand path beliefs (such as the inverted pentagram). We are nihilists though.

Metal Empire: Can you talk about your production process? How do you go about writing new material?

Knife Sotelo: When people write songs, they usually write about their feelings. I use experiences from my own personal life as inspiration, and others use things that they have read about. The most important point to remember is that your lyrics should reflect something true about you.

Metal Empire: What and who are some of your major influences? Please give a few details about what you enjoy about creating music and what inspires you to make it.

Knife Sotelo: Weed and Eazy-E. Not only are they my inspirations I worship them religiously. I like to visit Eazy-E’s grave and toke a few joints because it allows me to release my pain and suffering … [and] every year I take a different message that he has said and use it as an inspiration.

Metal Empire: What is your favorite song you’ve written as a musician? And what is your favourite song written by someone else?

Knife Sotelo: My favorite song that I’ve written would have to be “I Wish You Would” although not a banger, it was my only song that was radio friendly. As for my favorite song written by someone else, it would be “American Bad Ass” by Kid Rock

Metal Empire: Have you played any shows or toured alongside any major artists? Are there any shows that come to mind that you feel make a great story? If so, tell us about it.

Knife Sotelo: I haven’t toured with any major artists yet, I’ve only managed to tour with chicano artists. But there was one show that comes to mind and that’s my show at House Of Blues in Hollywood. It was my first show, so it really got hectic.

Metal Empire: Is there any band or artist you would give anything to play a show with? If so, who are they and why?

Knife Sotelo: Yes actually, I would give anything to play a show with Body Count, Ice-T’s metal band. In my eyes they’re living legends.

Metal Empire: What are you hopes for the future? Where do you see yourself as an artist this time next year or the year after?

Knife Sotelo: Only hope for the future is more money. I can see myself being a highly payed record executive. I already run a label I just need to find that certain act that will pave the way to mainstream.

Metal Empire: If I was to turn up at a show, what should I expect from you in terms of music and showmanship? Is there any crazy stuff you do to pull the crowd?

Knife Sotelo: My shows are very reminiscent to Marilyn Mansons shows, especially the one where he performs “Antichrist Superstar.”

Metal Empire: How do feel about being DIY musicians in today’s music industry?

Knife Sotelo: That’s the only way to do it now, nobody just starts at the top, we all have to do it ourselves first.

Metal Empire: Do you receive much fan mail, and if so what’s the craziest, creepiest or coolest thing you’ve ever gotten from a fan?

Knife Sotelo: Yes we receive lots of fanmail. The coolest one was when a model offered her services to gogo dance one of our shows.

Metal Empire: If you could have any super power what would it be?

Knife Sotelo: Regeneration, plain and simple.

Metal Empire: If you could only hear one more song for the rest of your life what would you choose?

Knife Sotelo: Boys N The Hood by Eazy-E doesn’t get any real than that.

Metal Empire: Thank you for taking the time to speak to Metal Empire about what you do. Do you have any final words, or anything you would like to add?

Knife Sotelo: Thank you for interviewing me. I’d just like to say to keep your head up and always shoot for target you can hit. For more information on me just visit my website at http://www.knifermusick.com

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The Raven Age have just posted their new EP up on their YouTube Channel. Although there are no official videos yet, the band have included some great tour photos. Check out the videos below.

The Raven Age are a melodic metal band from London, UK, consisting of five individuals who very quickly became friends through sharing a love for heavy music and a passion for song writing. In 2009, guitarists Dan Wright and George Harris began establishing their vision of a band that combines contemporary heavy music with powerful melodic vocals to create an epic and unique sound.

Uprising/Eye Among the Blind – The Raven Age

The Death March – The Raven Age

Angel In Disgrace – The Raven Age

Track 3 from The Raven Age Self Titled EP

The Raven Age’s music is available at their official online store, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and more:

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In August of 2013, MARIANAS released a four song self titled EP with engineer John Helmig (Austrian Death Machine, Crowne Vict). The EP has constantly been downloaded since its release and landed at #2 on GigZealot.com’s top albums of 2013 as well as 5 out of 5 stars. MARIANAS have been performing regionally for the past year which has gained them a dedicated fan base, endorsements and management. They have also performed alongside numerous national acts such as Taproot, 40 Below Summer, Acaro and more. This past winter, the band recorded their full-length album debut titled, FOREVER HER GHOST, again with John Helmig. The band co produced and co engineered the album which has allowed them to weave musical themes throughout the record rather than just recording a collection of songs. The album is scheduled be released this July and will be followed up by a regional promo tour.

Metal Empire: Hello and welcome to Metal Empire. Would you care to introduce yourself? What is your name and what do you do?

Marianas: Sure, my name is Steph Curran… I’m from Boston, MA and play guitar in the band Marianas.

Metal Empire: What is the band up to at the moment? Is there something you’re working on currently?

Marianas: We just released a full length album called “Forever Her Ghost” in late July and are putting the final touches on a video for the song “Closer” which should be posted on YouTube any day now (youtube.com/marianasband). We are also getting ready to play our last show of the summer which is on 8/23 at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA with 40 Below Summer who we are big fans of.

Metal Empire: Can you tell us a little bit more about the band, how did you guys become established? Is there an interesting back story to your formation?

Marianas: Danny (vocals) and I were in called Breathe for a few years. After that ended I wanted to try doing some more melodic metal/post hardcore stuff so a group of friends got together and hashed out Marianas. We were originally called Oceans Upon Us but that name was taken by some UK metalcore band in tight pants so we dropped it.

Metal Empire: You guys currently have a new record out called “Forever Her Ghost”, can you tell us more about it?

Marianas: Sure, “Forever Her Ghost” is our first full length which genre wise is a mix of post hardcore, metal and post rock. We were looking to add a lot more textures with delays with this band than in previous projects. The album is 8 tracks total with a an ambient bass outro. Vocally Danny does all the screaming on the record while Justin does the majority of the cleans on the choruses. I do some vocals here in there for more atmospheric harmonies usually layered with Justin. We had some friends that were with us while tracking do gang vocals for the song “Above & Forever” which is a more of a post hardcore song. My personal favorite is “Tides” because it has a old school acoustic finger picked intro with spanish influenced guitars that drops into some brutal chugs.

Metal Empire: Where can fans get their hands on “Forever Her Ghost”?

Marianas: They can order physical cds at http://www.marianasmetal.com. The digital album will be posted to the popular online retailers within the next month…iTunes, Amazon, Spotify etc. In the meantime they can download our free EP at our website too…and share it with a friend!

Metal Empire: The tracks I’ve heard so far sound great, where did you get them recorded? Who produced the record?

Marianas: Half of the album was completely recorded Verse Studios in Manchester New Hampshire with John Helmig. The other half (minus the drums) we tracked at my home studio and John re-amped everything via the interwebs which was an interesting experiment. Danny and John go way back so its nothing but laughs and good times had by all when we are all tracking. We did pre production on all the songs before hitting the studio which helps everyone figure what they like or don’t like ahead of time.

Metal Empire: Can you talk about your production process? How do you go about writing new material?

Marianas: The material on this album was written with various line ups over a year 1/2 period or so. Most of it was pre written then brought into the band setting where we hashed out the arrangement and made some changes.

Metal Empire: You are about to release a video for the track “Closer” from “Forever Her Ghost”. Can you tell us more about it?

Marianas: We teamed up with my friend who owns a video business and shot the video on three different sets over two days. The live performance visuals go from light to dark with high contrast along with getting covered in black ink. We had a friend write the lyrics on herself throughout the video which came out pretty awesome. The video will be on YouTube pretty soon.

Metal Empire: What major issues and obstacles do you feel musicians confront in today’s world of music?

Marianas: I think social media is a great tool and can really help bands but at the same time it opens it up to having so many bands out there that things are pretty saturated. Also, promoters tend to make an event page, invite some people and think thats networking and promotion. Being forced to sell pre-sale tickets is never fun but seems to be the way of the world now. I miss the days of playing with bands you liked and had a community with…rather than who can sell tickets. Selling tickets also gets harder the older you get. To me its become less about music and comradery and more about $$$$.

Metal Empire: How do you feel the invention of Social Media has changed the musician landscape, has it made it better or worse and why?

Marianas: I think I just answered this already but yes there are definitely pros and cons. Making an event page doesn’t get people to shows…word of mouth is still huge and face to face networking is key.

Metal Empire: Have you played any shows or toured alongside any major artists, if not, would you like to?

Marianas: We’ve played with some larger bands like 40 Below Summer, Taproot, I Am King, It lives It Breathes, Straight Line Stitch and some others. Definitely would love to play along side Parkway Drive or Poison the Well.

Metal Empire: Is there any band or artist you would give anything to play a show with? If so, who are they and why?

Marianas: I’d probably give my little toe on my left foot to play with 311 but they are a completely different genre than us. It would be awesome to play a show with The Ghost Inside but not sure I’d risk a toe for that.

Metal Empire: Have you got any big shows coming up, or any tours planned for the near future?

Marianas: Marianas is playing the Middle East in Cambridge on 8/23 with 40 Below Summer. We played with them last year and they were super nice dudes. This will be our last show of the summer since our bassist is overseas right now. We will start booking regionally for October.

Metal Empire: What are you hopes moving forward? Where do you see yourself as an artist this time next year or the year after?

Marianas: I’d like to promote this album for 6 months or so while starting to write a new album. Ideally I’d like to shift our style a little by writing some more technical riffs and possible on a 7 string but not super djenty since thats completely over saturated right now. Personally, I’m in 2 other bands outside of Marianas and talking about starting another so I’m just trying to keep as busy as possible with as many genres as possible while I can. Eventually I’ll be too old.

Metal Empire: What about plans for the rest of this year, having just released the new album?

Marianas: We are going to promote the album as much as we can online while trying to play New England as much as possible. Our drummer is from PA so we are looking to get down there eventually.

Metal Empire: Do you receive much fan mail, and if so what’s the craziest, creepiest or coolest thing you’ve ever gotten from a fan?

Marianas: I’ve definitely had some weird emails and messages sent to me over the years. Usually they are pretty harmless and funny. I think the coolest things was someone telling me I was one of their major musical influences. I have a ton of musical influences so its cool being someone else’s.

Metal Empire: If you had one wish that could change the world, what would it be and why?

Marianas: I would get rid of people fighting over religion. As much as I think people need to believe in something to cope with life, I also think it is the route of all evil. It divides people, starts wars, kills people… for what? A belief in something we will never see while we are on this earth.

Metal Empire: Thank you for taking the time to speak to Metal Empire about what you do. Do you have any final words, or anything you would like to add?

Marianas: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me! Check out Marianas at http://www.marianasmetal.com for free music, videos, merch and show dates. Thanks again.

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New video from The Dropper’s Neck, a song called Line Me Up For The Firing Squad. It’s got some pretty chunky riffs in it.

Born in and around London & Essex, The Dropper’s Neck are five members with the same ambition and drive: to make loud, raw and noisy punk rock music that stands apart from that of other bands on the scene; they have certainly accomplished their goal.

With glowing comparisons to the likes of Gallows, Pulled Apart By Horses, Marmozets and QOTSA, The Dropper’s Neck blend engaging hooks and riffery with forebodingly chaotic energy and raw intensity; the end result is immensely absorbing.

The band’s debut EP launched the rock crew out of the underground, and last year’s debut album ‘Second Coming’, recorded by producer Paul Tipler (Placebo, Idlewild & Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster), garnered extensive national praise from everyone from Classic Rock and Kerrang! through to Big Cheese Magazine.

Check out the video below:

Official music video for ‘Line Me Up For The Firing Squad’ by The Dropper’s Neck